Foldable hitch mounted carrier device for a vehicle

ABSTRACT

A foldable hitch mounted carrier device for a vehicle for adding cargo carrying capacity for a vehicle. The foldable hitch mounted carrier device for a vehicle includes a frame assembly including a frame having elongate front, side, and back members; and also includes a hitch mounting member being securely attached to the frame and being adapted to be fastenably received by a hitch receiver on a vehicle; and further includes a netting arrangement being securely attached to the frame; and also includes adjustable tie-down members being attached to the frame for securing cargo thereon.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a carrier device for a vehicle and moreparticularly pertains to a new foldable hitch mounted carrier device fora vehicle for adding cargo carrying capacity for a vehicle.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The use of a carrier device for a vehicle is known in the prior art.More specifically, a carrier device for a vehicle heretofore devised andutilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected andobvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designsencompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for thefulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.

Known prior art includes U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,810,374; 4,813,584; 4,744,590;5,996,869; 5,645,292; and U.S. Pat. No. Des. 314,543.

While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives andrequirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new foldablehitch mounted carrier device for a vehicle. The inventive deviceincludes a frame assembly including a frame having elongate front, side,and back members; and also includes a hitch mounting member beingsecurely attached to the frame and being adapted to be fastenablyreceived by a hitch receiver on a vehicle; and further includes anetting arrangement being securely attached to the frame; and alsoincludes adjustable tie-down members being attached to the frame forsecuring cargo thereon.

In these respects, the foldable hitch mounted carrier device for avehicle according to the present invention substantially departs fromthe conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doingprovides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of addingcargo carrying capacity for a vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types ofcarrier device for a vehicle now present in the prior art, the presentinvention provides a new foldable hitch mounted carrier device for avehicle construction wherein the same can be utilized for adding cargocarrying capacity for a vehicle.

The general purpose of the present invention, which will be describedsubsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new foldable hitchmounted carrier device for a vehicle which has many of the advantages ofthe carrier device for a vehicle mentioned heretofore and many novelfeatures that result in a new foldable hitch mounted carrier device fora vehicle which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or evenimplied by any of the prior art carrier device for a vehicle eitheralone or in any combination thereof.

To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a frameassembly including a frame having elongate front, side, and backmembers; and also includes a hitch mounting member being securelyattached to the frame and being adapted to be fastenably received by ahitch receiver on a vehicle; and further includes a netting arrangementbeing securely attached to the frame; and also includes adjustabletie-down members being attached to the frame for securing cargo thereon.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more importantfeatures of the invention in order that the detailed description thereofthat follows may be better understood, and in order that the presentcontribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additionalfeatures of the invention that will be described hereinafter and whichwill form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of theinvention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited in its application to the details of construction and to thearrangements of the components set forth in the following description orillustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of otherembodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways.Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminologyemployed herein are for the purpose of description and should not beregarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception,upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basisfor the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carryingout the several purposes of the present invention. It is important,therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalentconstructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope ofthe present invention.

Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S.Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially thescientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiarwith patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from acursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure ofthe application. The abstract is neither intended to define theinvention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is itintended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a newfoldable hitch mounted carrier device for a vehicle which has many ofthe advantages of the carrier device for a vehicle mentioned heretoforeand many novel features that result in a new foldable hitch mountedcarrier device for a vehicle which is not anticipated, rendered obvious,suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art carrier device for avehicle, either alone or in any combination thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new foldablehitch mounted carrier device for a vehicle which may be easily andefficiently manufactured and marketed.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a newfoldable hitch mounted carrier device for a vehicle which is of adurable and reliable construction.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a newfoldable hitch mounted carrier device for a vehicle which is susceptibleof a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor,and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to theconsuming public, thereby making such foldable hitch mounted carrierdevice for a vehicle economically available to the buying public.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a newfoldable hitch mounted carrier device for a vehicle which provides inthe apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantagesthereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantagesnormally associated therewith.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a newfoldable hitch mounted carrier device for a vehicle for adding cargocarrying capacity for a vehicle.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new foldablehitch mounted carrier device for a vehicle which includes a frameassembly including a frame having elongate front, side, and backmembers; and also includes a hitch mounting member being securelyattached to the frame and being adapted to be fastenably received by ahitch receiver on a vehicle; and further includes a netting arrangementbeing securely attached to the frame; and also includes adjustabletie-down members being attached to the frame for securing cargo thereon.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a newfoldable hitch mounted carrier device for a vehicle that is easily andconveniently mounted to a hitch of a vehicle.

Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a newfoldable hitch mounted carrier device for a vehicle that is easilyfolded for storage when not needed.

These together with other objects of the invention, along with thevarious features of novelty which characterize the invention, arepointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming apart of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention,its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses,reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptivematter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and objects other than those setforth above will become apparent when consideration is given to thefollowing detailed description thereof. Such description makes referenceto the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a new foldable hitch mounted carrierdevice for a vehicle according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention being folded forstorage.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through2 thereof, a new foldable hitch mounted carrier device for a vehicleembodying the principles and concepts of the present invention andgenerally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

As best illustrated in FIGS. I through 2, the foldable hitch mountedcarrier device for a vehicle 10 generally comprises a frame assemblyincluding a frame 11 having elongate front 12, side 14,15, and back 13members. The elongate front member 12 is hingedly attached at endsthereof to ends of the elongate side members 14,15, and the elongateback member 13 is detachably and conventionally secured at ends thereofto the other ends of the elongate side members 14,15 to form arectangular structure. The elongate front and back members 12,13 haveholes 16-19 disposed through tops and near the ends thereof. The frameassembly further includes angled brace members 20 having first ends 21securely and conventionally attached to the elongate side members 14,15and having holes 23 disposed therethrough near second ends 22 thereof.The frame assembly also includes fastening members 24 being removablyreceived through the holes 16-19,23 of the angled brace members 20 andthe elongate front and back members 1213 for securing the elongate frontand back members 12,13 to the elongate side members 14,15, and furtherincludes cables 26 having first ends 27 and second ends 28 which aresecurely and conventionally attached to the frame 11 with the first ends27 being securely and conventionally attached to the fastening members24. The fastening members 24 are pin-like members having eyelet endportions 25. The elongate front, side, and back members 12-15 areelongate tubular members with the elongate side members 14,15 beingfoldable upon the elongate front member 12 and with the elongate backmember 13 being detachably attached to the elongate side members 14-15.The frame 11 has a length of approximately 4¼ feet and a width ofapproximately 2¼ feet.

A hitch mounting member is securely and conventionally attached to theframe 11 and is adapted to be fastenably received by a hitch receiver ona vehicle. The hitch mounting member includes a tubular member 29 havinga first end 30 being securely and conventionally attached to theelongate front member 12 and extending outwardly therefrom. The tubularmember 29 also has an open second end 31 with a bore 32 extending in thehitch mounting member through the open second end 31, and further has ahole 41 being disposed through a side wall thereof near the open secondend 31. The hitch mounting member further includes support braces 33being securely and conventionally attached to the tubular member 29 andto the elongate front member 12 of the frame 11.

A netting arrangement 34 is securely and conventionally attached to theframe 11. The netting arrangement 34 is a mesh which is securely,conventionally, and detachably attached along bottoms of the elongatefront, side, and back members 12-15. Adjustable tie-down members 35-40are conventionally attached to the frame 11 for securing cargo. Theadjustable tie-down members 35-40 include pairs of straps 35-38 havingends which are securely and conventionally attached to the frame 12, andalso include buckle members 39,40 each of which adjustably fastens arespective the pair of straps 35-38 together to secure cargo loadedwithin the frame 12 and upon the netting arrangement 34. The pairs ofstraps 35-38 are removably and adjustably disposed across a top of theframe 11.

In use, the user attaches the hitch mounting member to a hitch receiverof a vehicle and erects the frame 11 as a rectangular structure with thenetting arrangement 34 being securely attached to the frame 11. The userthen places cargo within the frame 11 and upon the netting arrangement34 and secures the cargo with the straps 35-38.

As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of thepresent invention, the same should be apparent from the abovedescription. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the mannerof usage and operation will be provided.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized thatthe optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, toinclude variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and mannerof operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obviousto one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to thoseillustrated in the drawings and described in the specification areintended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of theprinciples of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications andchanges will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operationshown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of theinvention.

We claim:
 1. A foldable hitch mounted carrier device for a vehiclecomprising: a frame assembly including a frame having elongate front,side, and back members; a hitch mounting member being securely attachedto said frame and being adapted to be fastenably received by a hitchreceiver on a vehicle; a netting arrangement being securely attached tosaid frame; and adjustable tie-down members being attached to said framefor securing cargo.
 2. A foldable hitch mounted carrier device for avehicle as described in claim 1, wherein said elongate front member ishingedly attached at ends thereof to ends of said elongate side members,and said elongate back member is detachably secured at ends thereof tothe other ends of said elongate side members to form a rectangularstructure, said elongate front and back members having holes disposedthrough tops and near said ends thereof.
 3. A foldable hitch mountedcarrier device for a vehicle as described in claim 2, wherein said frameassembly further includes angled brace members having first endssecurely attached to said elongate side members and having holesdisposed therethrough near second ends thereof.
 4. A foldable hitchmounted carrier device for a vehicle as described in claim 3, whereinsaid frame assembly also includes fastening members being removablyreceived through said holes of said angled brace members and saidelongate front and back members for securing said elongate front andback members to said elongate side members, and further includes cableshaving first ends and second ends which are securely attached to saidframe with said first ends being securely attached to said fasteningmembers.
 5. A foldable hitch mounted carrier device for a vehicle asdescribed in claim 4, wherein said fastening members are pin-likemembers having eyelet end portions.
 6. A foldable hitch mounted carrierdevice for a vehicle as described in claim 5, wherein said elongatefront, side, and back members are elongate tubular members with saidelongate side members being foldable upon said elongate front member andwith said elongate back member being detachably attached to saidelongate side members.
 7. A foldable hitch mounted carrier device for avehicle as described in claim 1, wherein said hitch mounting memberincludes a tubular member having a first end being securely attached tosaid elongate front member and extending outwardly therefrom, saidtubular member also having an open second end with a bore extending insaid hitch mounting member through said open second end, and furtherhaving a hole disposed through a side wall thereof near said open secondend, said hitch mounting member further including support braces beingsecurely attached to said tubular member and to said elongate frontmember of said frame.
 8. A hitch mounted carrier device as described inclaim 1, wherein said netting arrangement is a mesh which is securelyand detachably attached along bottoms of said elongate front, side, andback members.
 9. A hitch mounted carrier device as described in claim 1,wherein said adjustable tie-down members include pairs of straps havingends which are securely attached to said frame, and also include bucklemembers each of which adjustably fastens a respective said pair ofstraps together to secure cargo loaded within said frame and upon saidnetting arrangement, said pairs of straps being removably and adjustablydisposed across a top of said frame.
 10. A foldable hitch mountedcarrier device for a vehicle comprising: a frame assembly including aframe having elongate front, side, and back members, said elongate frontmember being hingedly attached at ends thereof to ends of said elongateside members, and said elongate back member being detachably secured atends thereof to the other ends of said elongate side members to form arectangular structure, said elongate front and back members having holesdisposed through tops and near said ends thereof, said frame assemblyfurther including angled brace members having first ends securelyattached to said elongate side members and having holes disposedtherethrough near second ends thereof, said frame assembly alsoincluding fastening members being removably received through said holesof said angled brace members and said elongate front and back membersfor securing said elongate front and back members to said elongate sidemembers, and further including cables having first ends and second endswhich are securely attached to said frame with said first ends beingsecurely attached to said fastening members, said fastening membersbeing pin-like members having eyelet end portions, said elongate front,side, and back members being elongate tubular members with said elongateside members being foldable upon said elongate front member and withsaid elongate back member being detachably attached to said elongateside members, said frame having a length of approximately 4¼ feet and awidth of approximately 2¼ feet; a hitch mounting member being securelyattached to said frame and being adapted to be fastenably received by ahitch receiver on a vehicle, said hitch mounting member including atubular member having a first end being securely attached to saidelongate front member and extending outwardly therefrom, said tubularmember also having an open second end with a bore extending in saidhitch mounting member through said open second end, and further having ahole disposed through a side wall thereof near said open second end,said hitch mounting member further including support braces beingsecurely attached to said tubular member and to said elongate frontmember of said frame; a netting arrangement being securely attached tosaid frame, said netting arrangement being a mesh which is securely anddetachably attached along bottoms of said elongate front, side, and backmembers; and adjustable tie-down members being attached to said framefor securing cargo, said adjustable tie-down members including pairs ofstraps having ends which are securely attached to said frame, and alsoinclude buckle members each of which adjustably fastens a respectivesaid pair of straps together to secure cargo loaded within said frameand upon said netting arrangement, said pairs of straps being removablyand adjustably disposed across a top of said frame.